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STUDYWORLD STUDYNOTES

The Red Badge of Courage

Comprehensive Summary and Review of Chapters 10-12

Summary:

The tattered man muses on Conklin's death, wondering where his strength came from. Henry throws himself on the ground in horror and grief. Misunderstanding Henry's guilty flight before, the tattered man assures him he will take care of him. Again Henry rushes away, wishing in his agony of guilt that he too were dying. The road is choked with wagons and hurrying men, and Henry, thinking they are all running, ironically feels better. His guilt is not so great if it is shared by all. He tries to justify himself, but he imagines his regiment accusing him of cowardice and tortures himself imagining their jeers. In his anguish and fatigue he clutches the arm of a soldier, unable to speak. The man cries out and brings his rifle down on Henry's head. Henry, dazed and bleeding, is helped by a soldier who thinks he was wounded in battle. Henry explains that he has lost his regiment. His comrade points the way to the camp.

Review:

Henry begins to realize that he is not the only person who has fears about fighting in battle.